Caregiver sentenced for embezzlement

A former caregiver for a well-known Mt. Pleasant man will spend at least 23 months in prison for embezzlement.

Isabella County Trial Judge Mark Duthie also sentenced Alichia Mary Nokes, 42, to 16 months to two years in prison for retaining a financial transaction device without the owner’s consent.

Duthie on Friday ordered Nokes, who was a caregiver for World War II survivor and deacon John Wilberding, to 23 months to five years in prison for embezzlement.

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The sentence came as a blessing for Wilberding’s daughter, Pam, who said justice has been served for her father, whose health is rapidly declining.

At the same time, Pam said, she feels compassion for Nokes and is relieved that the case has concluded.

“We don’t hate anyone but where glad it’s over,” she said. “It’s not something we’re elated over but justice has been served.”

Pam said she is happy and sad at the same time, and that when asked why she took more than $22,700 from Wilberding, Nokes said “because I could.”

Thinking about what Nokes did to her father, who has done so much for the community, saddened Pam, who was in the courtroom along with 11 other relatives for the sentencing.

She commended Duthie and said Nokes’ attorney offered apologies, as did Nokes.

Nokes was accused of stealing checks and credit cards from Wilberding, who now lives in Maplewood of Mt. Pleasant assisted living.

Wilberding, who is well-known for his service as a lieutenant and colonel in the Army Air Corps in World War II, being a deacon and spending time visiting the sick and dying, treated Nokes like a daughter, Pam said after Nokes was charged.

Nokes had been hired to care for Wilberding several months before the criminal investigation in February.